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Should people who quit get unemployment benefits, too?

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Re: Should people who quit get unemployment benefits, too?

#11

Post by madamelic »

Generally yes.

I am not sure how UI works (which of course entitles me to spout my opinion), but a system where it draws from a pool based off work history could be the middle ground solution.

If they are going to base your unemployment on your past pay, they might as well also base it on your past history.

To get to my point: if you work for a long period then quit / fired, you should have a bigger pool you can tap into for any reason. If you work for short periods then quit, you should have a smaller pool which trends to near-zero if you never stay at a place for long. If you work for short periods then get laid off, you should have the standard pool (ie: you shouldn't be unfairly punished through no fault of your own besides maybe being unlucky / bad at picking jobs).

I am paying into it regardless, I should be able to choose to be able to tap into it.

It disincentives people jumping on and off UI constantly on their own free-will but it gives a cushion to those who are burnt or needing to transition to a new field.

Re: Should people who quit get unemployment benefits, too?

#12

Post by jtriangle »

Should or shouldn't, it doesn't seem to matter to the state of California. Whomever is admining UI doesn't care. We've had people quit, fired with cause (and in legal proceedings), one who was literally incarcerated shortly after they quit, one who was arrested at work for fraud (and was wearing uniform in their mugshot to boot), and all of them got their claims accepted regardless of what we said.

So, our policy is to not fight anything, ever. Not worth the time.

Re: Should people who quit get unemployment benefits, too?

#15

Post by 0cf8612b2e1e »

As with everything in America, I assume it is a non-starter to make more universal benefits. Sure it would be fine if I got unemployment for quitting, but not those people. They would just squander the opportunity! Best we all suffer rather than someone I do not like getting the same benefit.

Re: Should people who quit get unemployment benefits, too?

#17

Post by missedthecue »

anotherhue wrote: post #6

Which is the greater moral hazard? Enabling couch-potatoes or enabling corps to have a 40 hour worker at below the poverty line cost?

I don't think anyone in America is working 40 hours and staying below the poverty line unless they have like... 8 kids as a single parent. It's really just not possible. McDonald's for 40 hours puts you well above poverty line

Re: Should people who quit get unemployment benefits, too?

#18

Post by ketchupdebugger »

Molitor5901 wrote: post #10

Yes, but with limits. How to prevent job hopping just to stay on benefits? Taking a paid vacation before the next job? I see opportunities for abuse. In the United States at least, AFAIK, employers pay for unemployment. Who pays when the employee voluntarily separates from an employer? It seems unfair to make the employer pay for an employee who left and no longer works there. I presume that cost will be paid by the…

No one is quitting their job to just be on unemployment. Unemployment benefit is funded by unemployment tax on both corporations and individuals. The unemployment benefit for CA is $40 to $450 per week. (You still have to pay income tax on that) Its much lower in conservative states. Its enough to smooth things out but not enough to live off of, you are still going to be digging into savings. Additionally you have to provide proof that you are looking for jobs ever week. Its not like I can take a holiday in europe and still collect.

Re: Should people who quit get unemployment benefits, too?

#19

Post by trosi »

madamelic wrote: post #11

Generally yes. I am not sure how UI works (which of course entitles me to spout my opinion), but a system where it draws from a pool based off work history could be the middle ground solution. If they are going to base your unemployment on your past pay, they might as well also base it on your past history. To get to my point: if you work for a long period then quit / fired, you should have a bigger pool you can tap…

I don't know how it works in the US (and I assume it might be different state by state), but in many countries in Europe this is already the case.

For example: if you get fired today you are entitled to a benefit if you have worked at least X months out of the last Y months. X and Y must be chosen carefully of course.

Re: Should people who quit get unemployment benefits, too?

#20

Post by anonzzzies »

bitshiftfaced wrote: post #16

Sounds like a great incentive to start a job, work for the minimum length necessary, quit, and repeat.

I would kill myself in that life. I guess if people like that, just give them some money and don’t let them interfere too much with people who are less inclined to such a depressing lifestyle.
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